Be SharkSmart
Sharks are a natural part of our marine environment and can be present at any time. Along the NSW coast, white, tiger and bull sharks occur year‑round, with their activity and abundance influenced by seasonal, environmental and weather conditions.
White Sharks
White sharks have a seasonal movement pattern along our coastline:
- Late autumn–early winter: moving north along the NSW coast
- Late spring–early summer: moving south along the NSW coast toward cooler waters in southern NSW and beyond to Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania and New Zealand.
- SMART drumline data shows they are present year‑round, with abundance varying seasonally, peak catches between May-November.
- White sharks use both coastal and offshore waters, and are more commonly detected during the day, especially between 11am – 1pm in water temperatures of 18-20 degrees.
Remember to:
- Stay alert to water conditions
- Check for baitfish, diving birds or dolphins
- Avoid areas where there are recreational or commercial fishing activities
- Consider using an independently tested personal deterrent device, and
- Check the SharkSmart app before you go
NSW Shark Management Program
The NSW Shark Management Program is the largest and most comprehensive program of its kind in the world, with the NSW Government investing approximately $120 million over the next two years to help keep people safer in the water.
Read more
Surf Life Saving NSW drone surveillance program
As of 1 July 2026, there are 97 beaches monitored by SLS NSW drone surveillance across the state under the NSW Shark Management Program.
Under the expanded program, 72 beaches benefit from drone monitoring 365 days of the year, including at least one beach in every coastal local government area.
Surfing NSW partnership
In an Australian first, the NSW Government has partnered with Surfing NSW to provide funding to help keep surfers safe.
The partnership includes first-aid training through Surfing NSW’s Surfers Rescue 24/7 program, and customised medical kits and training to more than 126 NSW boardrider clubs, 60 surf schools, 177 surf coaches and 20 high performance surf coaches.
The partnership also includes drones and pilot training.
Keep up to date with the program through surfingnsw.com.au
SharkSmart App now available on smart watches
Receive real-time alerts with the SharkSmart watch app - download today
Available for Google Wear OS smart watches soon.
FAQs about Watch App
SMART Drumlines: Shark Management Alert in Real Time
NSW is leading the world in the daily deployment of SMART drumlines, which are both a shark mitigation tool and a research tool that reduce the risk of interactions with sharks while minimising the impact on marine species.
SMART Drumlines
Stay SharkSmart with our app Check the latest sightings and tagged shark detections before you hit the water in NSW.
Download the SharkSmart app today
For iOS visit the iTunes store, or for Android visit Google Play.